The NFL Today: Eagles could save money by benching Asomugha

December 9, 2012 11:51 AM ET

Eagles corner Nnamdi Asomugha has been a free-agent bust in Philadelphia, and his stint there could be brief, with the team cutting veterans and firing coaches in recent weeks in preparation for a reshaped organization in 2013. Benching Asomugha now, however, could save the team future money in the event that he is back in Philadelphia next season and still playing out this contract.

Asomugha, who received $25 million guaranteed when he signed in July 2011, made $10 million in 2011 and makes $11 million this season. His base salary jumps to $15 million in 2013 with $4 million fully guaranteed, However, there is a $3 million de-escalator in the contract, according to league sources, should Asomugha fail to reach 90 percent playing time in either 2011 or 2012.

With a month left to play and the Eagles' season seemingly coming apart, it's a dynamic worth watching. There is no proration in the deal. So if the Eagles did move away from Asomugha as part of their 2013 transition, they would suffer no cap hit. Trading him, given how high his contract is, could be tricky, though a renegotiation could be looming whether he stays or goes. It's hard to imagine anyone paying him that kind of salary next season.

Before joining CBS Sports, Jason La Canfora was the Washington Redskins beat writer for The Washington Post for six years and served as NFL Network's insider. The Baltimore native can be seen every Sunday during the season on The NFL Today.